Improvement in speculums



E. W. HIGBEE.

Speculum.

No.16? 666, Patented Sept.14,1875.

EDWIN W. HIGBEE, OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN SPECULUNIS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 67,666, dated September 14, 1875; application filed April 15, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN W. HIGBEE, M. D., of Northampton, in the county of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Speculums, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved speculum, and Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same.

The same letters are employed in both figures in the indication of identical parts.

In specula having blades of equal length, the latter usually have to be withdrawn, as they are extended to avoid carrying the cervix up with the blade. In expanding this speculum it is not necessary to withdraw it, since the upper blade is sufiiciently shortened. The force, however, exerted in opening or expanding it, has a tendency to draw the instrument into the vagina To prevent this, as also the soft parts and the hair falling over the opening of the speculum, when introduced, which would obscure the view, and to render the patient as comfortable as possible, is the object of my invention. To this end it consists of a speculum havinga long and short blade hinged together, the latter being contracted, as shown, and provided with a flange to serve as a stop to theintroduction of the instrument, and a guard to prevent the soft parts and hair obscuring the view.

This speculum is of that classknown as bivalve, being constructed in two sections, A and B, connected by a hinge at O. The part A is formed as shown, having lugs on the outer end at A to receive the end of the adjustingscrew. The part B is shorter than the part A, and has on its outer end a ring, 13, shaped, as shown, with a projection, B through which the adjusting-screw passes freely. These sections or parts are connected by pivots at O O, forming a hinge to permit the free articulation of section B. The screw D passing through the eye in B has a thumb nut, D, by means of which the section B may be opened or closed at will. The short section B has a slotted extension piece, E, attached to it by screws. This piece may be moved out or in to adapt it to the increase or diminution of the length of the section B. The section B is shortened, so that when the speculum is introduced in the line of the axis of the vagina, it may, when opened, rise in front of the womb, and not lift 7 the same in passing, as is the case in specula when the sections are of equal length. The section B is drawn down at b as much as possible, so as to distend the external parts as little as may be when the speculum is opened. The flange B is widened to serve as a guard to prevent the soft parts and the hair upon the pudendum falling over the opening of the speculum when introduced, so as to interfere with the view, and also to perform the function of a stop to prevent the instrument being drawn into the vagina when it is expanded. The bowl of the section A is made very deep, so as to increase the reflecting surface and consequently the amount of light concentrated on the internal parts.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a bivalve speculum, the combination of of the short blade B, contracted at b and ex panded at b, so as to serve both as a stop and guard, and a long blade, A, to which the former is hinged, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN w. HIGBEE, M. D.

Witnesses:

R. B. RoBINsoN, J. R. DUNBAR. 

